War criminal Ratko Mladic's defence seeks urgent release, citing “irreversible decline”

In the filing dated April 30, the defence says Mladić is in a state of “advanced, irreversible medical decline” and is “approaching the end of his life” following a recent medical incident.

According to the motion, Mladic suffered an acute neurological episode involving “total aphasia” - the loss of the ability to speak - and difficulty swallowing, which required emergency hospitalization.

The defence claims that since then he has been “virtually incoherent and unable to speak” in conversations with family and lawyers. It also cites earlier medical information indicating he had already been “fully wheelchair-bound and/or bedbound for a long time”.

The filing argues that Mladic suffers from multiple serious health problems, including cardiac, renal and neurological conditions, and faces a high risk of further complications, including stroke or death.

It refers to assessments by doctors who examined him under tribunal procedures, which the defence says describe his condition as serious and potentially life-threatening, and not adequately treatable in the detention hospital.

The motion also raises concerns about what it describes as insufficient monitoring and limitations in the medical care available in custody.

Lawyers argue that, given his condition, Mladic does not pose a flight risk, citing previous tribunal rulings that severe illness can negate such concerns.

They further claim that his impaired ability to communicate complicates medical treatment and decision-making, and that end-of-life care would be more appropriate outside a prison setting.

The defence is asking the court to act urgently and grant release on humanitarian grounds so that Mladic can receive treatment in a specialized facility.

It also argues that continued detention under these circumstances could amount to “inhuman and degrading treatment”.

The request will be decided by the President of the Mechanism. No timeline for a ruling has been given.

Mladic is serving a life sentence for genocide in Srebrenica, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the 1992-95 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.